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<h1 class="title">ABOUT CUPFA</h1>

<p>The Concordia University Part-time Faculty Association/Association des professeur(e)s 
a temps partiel de l'Universite Concordia (CUPFA/l'APTPUC) was certified as a union on
September 27, 1989. As a non-affiliated labour organization, CUPFA stand as one of the
largest independent unions in Quebec. We celebrated our 
<a href="http://www.cupfa.org/15_anniversary_gala.html">15th Anniversary</a> in Fall, 2004.</p>

<p>Representing over 1100 part-time faculty, CUPFA responds to improving the needs and
working conditions of part-time faculty at Concordia University. Our first Collective
Agreement in 1991, followed by a second Collective Agreement in 1998, demonstrate the
growth of the Association as an important voice within the University. It is through the
Collective Agreement and collective bargaining that CUPFA is able to fight for the rights
of all its members. We are currently in negotiations to produce the third Collective
Agreement.</p>

<p>The purpose of our Collective Agreement is to foster and maintain harmonious relations
between the University and its part-time faculty members through the establishment of an
orderly collective bargaining relationship and the provision of an amicable and effective
means of settlings difference which may arise from time-to-time.</p>

<p>Along with the CUPFA Executive, the CUPFA Advisory Council, and through other
representations on various University bodies and committees, part-time faculty continue to
demonstrate their contributions to improving the quality of life for members and for the
University community-at-large. CUPFA also belongs and is an active member of the Concordia
University Inter-Union Council (IUC), a coalition of eight different bargaining units working in
concert to improve the working conditions of over 2000 Concordia employees. As well, CUPFA 
is a member of the <a href="http://www.cupfa.org/cocal.html">Coalition of Contingent Academic Labor (COCAL)</a> and hosted the COCAL V
Conference in Montreal, 2002. This event helped to foster communication among part-time
faculty across North America.</p>

<p>CUPFA's members have diverse skills and talents. Musicians, journalists, film makers,
teachers, psychologists, consultants, chartered accountants and engineers are but a few of
the part-time faculty who bring an applied pedagogy into the classroom. As part-time
faculty come from all walks of life, we bring meaning to Concordia's much touted motto
&quot;Real education for the real world.&quot; At the same time, scholarly research,
academic development, and excellence in teaching continue to be the primary objectives of
each part-time faculty member.</p>

<p>If you have any comments or questions regarding this Web Site, please <a href="http://www.cupfa.org/contact.html">let us know</a>.</p>

<p class="foot"><a href="http://www.cupfa.org/copyright.html">Copyright (c) CUPFA</a>. All Rights Reserved.</p>
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